The City of Derry Jazz Festival swings into town once again over the May Bank holiday with a stellar line up of talent all set to celebrate jazz in all its forms.
From Thursday 1st May – Monday 5th May musicians from across the world will descend on the city to mark 24 years of Ireland’s biggest Jazz extravaganza. Final preparations are now well underway to deliver an unsurpassable programme featuring almost 400 live performances – most of them free!
Music legend Billy Ocean tops the festival bill, performing his iconic hits including ‘Get Outta My Dreams’ and ‘When the Going Gets Tough’ in the Millennium Forum on Saturday and Sunday May 3rd and 4th.
This year’s programme includes old jazz favourites, local legends and plenty of new talent, ready to deliver five days packed with entertainment, from jazz workshops to live concerts and drama performances.
It all kicks off in the Guildhall on Thursday evening at 6pm with the ‘Live Launch’ led by the crème de la crème of local performers, with all donations going to the Mayor’s chosen charity the Bud Club.
A number of dedicated jazz hubs will host performances by some of the very best names on the jazz circuit over the course of the weekend. Popular jazz hotspot Bennigans Bar welcomes a number of acclaimed artists this year, including the Murray Brothers Quartet, the Kevin Brady Trio, Shuffle Boil Quartet and Sara Oschlag.
The Playhouse will also showcase a whole host of talent including Tom Ollendorff, Robert Mitchell, Victoria Geelan, and Albuca featuring Phil Robson.
Swing on over to St Columb’s Hall on Friday night for a fabulous show by Saturdays sensation Una Healy with Luke Thomas and the Swingcats. Fly Me to the Moon will pay tribute to some of the most iconic artists from Ella Fitzgerald to Louis Armstrong. On Saturday and Sunday the EY Jazz Lounge will be hosted by local favourite Paul McIntyre with top talents Curtis Efoua Ela, Brian Questa and Phil Robson, as well as special guest vocalist Winnie Ama.
There will be beats on the streets with a variety of al fresco acts, bringing the vibrant sound of jazz to the entire city. Check out the fantastic line up all set to get the Craft Village swinging from 11am on Saturday and 12noon on Sunday. Younger performers will also have the chance to show off their talents performing live on the Gay McIntyre Stage, showcasing some of the finest jazz talent in the historic Guildhall Square. And don’t forget to catch the DLD Second Line Parade as it weaves its musical magic through the city centre on Saturday morning from 11am.
The City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival is organised and funded by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Diageo and EY.
For more information go to www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com and for regular updates follow the City of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival on Facebook, Instagram and X @derryjazzfest.